[opendtv] UK News: Buying and Selling TV

A two-fer from Advanced Television.com



BskyB debut icredit card

  BSkyB and Barclaycard are to launch a Sky-branded interactive credit 
card later this year. In addition to working like other credit cards 
in shops and at cash machines the SkyCard will be fully integrated 
with interactive television.Viewers will be able to insert the 
SkyCard in their Sky box to manage their account securely and, soon 
after launch, to make purchases through the television using their 
remote control.BSkyB will market the unique loyalty and interactive 
features of the SkyCard to its more than seven million direct-to-home 
customers across the UK. For every eligible purchase made with the 
SkyCard, cardholders will earn SkyPoints offering exclusive savings 
on Sky entertainment including the cost of a monthly Sky digital
  subscription.

  The news comes as it is revealed by market analysts Verdict that the 
internet was the fastest growing retail sector last year, attracting 
one in four shoppers. With growth rates at 27.4%, the figures for 
buying online are six times better than for the traditional retail 
market over the last year, it says. Shopping via TV channels such as 
QVC also grew last year, by nearly 15% says the report.


BBC selling broadcast division

The BBC is planning to start the sale of its £100 million (E145m) 
Broadcast division. It is apparently planning to place an advert 
seeking initial expressions of interest from would-be buyers. The 
Corporation will draw up a longlist of bidders who will be sent a 
memorandum outlining the unit's financial performance. Likely bidders 
include Thomson, the French technology group; Ascent Media, a TV 
production specialist owned by Liberty Media; Carlyle, the venture 
capitalist, and Macquarie Infrastructure Communications Group, the 
owner of the old NTL television transmission business. Last year 
operating profits were £7 million on sales of £109 million and it 
employs 1,000 staff.






 
 
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